In recent years, the U.S. government has strengthened its national preparedness and response capabilities for catastrophic disease events, including bioterrorism. But it has paid inadequate attention to prevention and response measures internationally. The Obama Administration can change course, correct this deficit, and take strong action to reduce biological risks to security.
Congress and National Security Under Bush: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
by John Isaacs THE GOOD For eight years, Congress stopped Bush proposals for a new generation of nuclear weapons, including small nuclear weapons, the Nuclear Bunker Buster (Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator) and the Reliable Replacement Warhead. The Bush Administration did not resume nuclear testing and did not withdraw the U.S. signature from the Comprehensive […]
Strengthening U.S. Security Through Non-Proliferation and Arms Control: Recommendations for the Obama Administration
by Robert G. Gard and Leonor Tomero In 2008, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation sought input from 60 scientists, academics, members of Congress, senior congressional staffers, and representatives from advocacy groups, think tanks, and foundations to assess the priorities for the next Administration on nuclear arms control and non-proliferation. This report summarizes the consultations. […]
Right-Wing Fear Machine
by Robert G. Gard Published on Huffington Post on December 15, 2008 The younger and more internet-savvy members of our staff showed me a new video clip last week entitled “33 Minutes.” It comes courtesy of the unabashed hawks at the right-wing Heritage Foundation. The title refers to the amount of time it would take […]
Weaknesses in Primary Health Care Threaten Public Health Security and Stability
In the last two decades there has been a notable shift toward short-term curative and emergency medical care. As Alan Pearson and Jason Haile explain in this new policy brief, however, this increasing focus on treating specific diseases too often further diverts funding and resources away from the development of robust health care systems – systems that must be in place to effectively respond to a public health crisis like a biological weapons attack.
